Tagged ‘ebra’

The 2014 FBRI women final was surrounded by a great atmosphere. Benfica (PT) and Dragon Flyers (FR) reached the finals without savoring the taste of defeat. The French knew already that reaching the final they would take the first EBRA women title home. However Benfica girls were more commited than ever to show their potential. After 10 minutes of intense dispute, the Portuguese team surprised the favorites ripping the victory from their hearts.

The Figueira Beach Rugby International 2013 men´s final between Direito (Portugal) and Maccarese (Italy), will be reminded as one of the most exciting finals in Beach Rugby history.

With only 45 seconds to play, Maccarese was winning the game and things were pretty promissing for the Italian team, when all of a sudden Direito scores a try and gets back into the game. Maccarese who had performed an immaculated tournament till the finals, got nervous and allowed Direito tie the match when no one was expecting it, taking the decision to sudden death extra time.

Direito taking advantage of its high morale finishes the game after 1 minute, leaving the Maccarese players on tears.

ENG1.Maria, Benfica has been a constant presence in Figueira Beach Rugby International. What the tournament means for the team?

Since we started participating, the tournament has been for us a great way to end the season, have fun and play rugby. However in our first appearance with no expectations, we made the finals and from that moment we always look for the best. Every season is one of the first tournaments we decide to go, always to have fun and celebrate the ending of the season, but also always with the goal to beat our opponents and do better each year.

ENG 2. The last edition women´s final was one of the tournament highlits. What that winning meant for you.

Dragon Flyers were a very good team, and we were not expecting to win. Maybe that was the key for the success because we didnt feel any pressure at all. When the referee blown the whistle at the end, we could not believe that we won. The game was very tight and those are the kind of games that feel better to win.

ENG 3. We know that you are preparing the participation in other European Tournaments. What expectation do you hold?

We are planning to attend the Benidorm and Marseille Tournaments. Regarding our expectations….we don´t really know what to expect once is our first time doing more than one tournament, and we do not know the other teams. Plus, for the first tournament we willl have several players playing the European Sevens Championship, making the team selection a bit difficult.

I love the Beach, so it´s a perfect mix! From the marketing point of view it allows to take rugby to mass public which is great, because there is still a lot of people that doesnt know much about rugby.

1.Guillaume, this is the first time le Hagondange team will participate at the Figueira Beach Rugby International Tournament. What your expectations are?

R: Of course we will try to go the farthest in the competition, but the most important for our teams is to have fun and to give fun in and out the field.

2. Tell us a bit more about the Hagondange team. Are you all still playing or is Beach Rugby just an excuse toi get together and have fun while playing in the sand?

R: Most of the players are playing together in the 15-rugby team of Hagondange. Some others used to play in Hagondange and are now living everywhere in France. But they didn’t forget the good moments they spent with our team… That’s why we try to regroup together each year to play a beach rugby tournament during the summer. We are many and many each year and will be 25 this time.

3. Did the team participate in other Beach Rugby Tournaments in the past?

R: Last year, we went to the Prague beach rugby tournament and losed the final against the locals.We already went two times in the Sitges beach rugby tournament in Spain, we played in the Ostende beach rugby tournament and some others in Belgium.

4. The European Beach Rugby Association is really commited to make the European Circuit bigger and better every year. Are you aware of the EBRA work?

R: We have heard about the association, by searching your tournament on the internet.

5. What can we expect from the Hagondange Boys in the Figueira Tournament?

R: Some good rugby on the field, but mainly a big ambience and some kind of madness out of the field!

Despite the latest news confirming Maccarese at the Figueira Beach Rugby International 2014, we sadly announce that the team has been shut down. Maccarese Beach Rugby is the oldest Becah Rugy team in activity and they were looking forward to fight not only for the Portuguese Tournament Title but also for the European Title. However due to some player´s personal issues they have decided to stop. Leaded by Silvio and Guido Salera Maccarese have been always big friends of Figueira Tournament, awarding the public with outstanding performances both on and off the sand. We hope to see Maccarese back again soon.

1. Francisco the Caparica Sharks were born in 2011 specifically to compete in Beach Rugby Tournaments. How did that happen?

R: In 2011 some of team players have had contact with Beach Rugby playing for other teams. We all felt Beach Rugby as a great excuse to gather a group of friends, going to the beach have fun and play our loved sport at the same time. With the opportunity to attend the Figueira Beach Rugby International we decided to start the Caparica Sharks.

R: It´s a great event which promotes not just Beach Rugby but Rugby in general. There is a great atmosphere amongst the teams and great competitive level also. We have been present since 2011 and we can say the event is growing year after year. The rules have been adapted to make the game faster and more dynamic.

3. The Caparica Sharks were the only Portuguese team participating at the Lignano Tournament so far. How was that experience?

R: We were really excited when the Figueira Beach Rugby organizers and DoctorSport told us about the possibility to participate at the Lignano Tournament. We had no clue about what to expect. The only thing we knew was that we were the youngest team participating. The first day was a bit of a struggle but after we adapt ourselves to the game pace and tactics we managed to score pretty good overall participation, finishing 4th. Was a great honour to represent Portugal amongst 12 teams from strong rugby nations such as England, Samoa, France, Italy…..

4. After your participation in Lignano 2012 everyone was expecting to see Caparica Sharks competing for the European Circuit, but that did not happen. Why?

R. The main reason is the lack of support to face the expenses we have travelling around Europe. We have some commited sponsors but are not enough…

5. We know that Caparica Sharks are already preparing the 2014 season. What the goals for 2014 and what can we expect from the team?

R: In 2014 we want to make 2 appearences in the EBRA Circuit legs, Figueira and one more european tournament and reach the semi finals in both. We hope to attend all the legs of the Portuguese Beach Rugby Circuit and fight for the National title.